As most furnishing hardware are made of metal or metal alloys, finishes play a vital role in their construction. A wide array of finishes are imparted to door hardware, window hardware, cabinet hardware and curtain hardware to protect them from corrosion and tarnishing.

Various finishes available for hardware components are:

Brass Finish

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and had been extensively used for hardware finishes since nineteenth century. The natural shine of brass makes it the most common material used for finishes. Brass imparts excellent look to hardware items and looks elegant. But brass requires regular maintenance and polishing to preserve its shine. As natural brass is prone to tarnishing, it is given some sort to coating to insure a long lasting shine. Supercoating and Physical vapor Deposition (PVD) are some of the techniques used to protect natural brass from tarnishing. PVD polished brass is a corrosion-resistant, tarnish-resistant and scratch-resistant finish for hardware of various types. These techniques help to protect natural shine of brass but requires regular maintenance.

Chrome Finish

Chromium plating or chrome is yet another technique chosen for most hardware finishes. Chrome plating had been in use since early twentieth century and continues to be one of the most popular finishes even today. In fact, chrome is a sophisticated tarnish-resistant finish and is widely used for door hardware, window hardware, etc. Sometimes, solid brass hardware components are electroplated with chrome to provide a long lasting finish. However, chrome requires proper cleaning and maintenance at regular intervals to maintain its shine.

Stainless Steel Finish

Stainless steel is the most sought after metal for hardware items. It is combination of steel alloy and chromium, and sometimes containing other elements. The combination of metals is resistant to corrosion or rusting caused due to exposure to water and moist air. Stainless steel has a silver like shine and is widely used as a finish for door, cabinet and window hardware like hinges, bolts, knobs, fasteners, etc. However, to maintain the shine of the metal, proper maintenance and care is required. One of the striking features of this finish is that it lasts for a longer time and thus, hardware with stainless steel finish can be used for several years.

Nickel Finish

Resistance to tarnish is an excellent property of nickel, which makes it a popular choice for hardware finishes. It was widely used upto1880’s till chrome came into existence. But the everlasting shine and good look made nickel a very popular finish till date. Even today, nickel is widely use for finishes in furnishing hardware. Finishes in nickel range from the more stainless steel-like matte nickel finish to chrome-like polished nickel finish. Polished nickel is another popular smooth lustrous finish in nickel. Nickel is sometimes brushed to obtain matte or satin nickel finishes. Brushing enhances the beauty of the nickel and creates a low maintenance finish which helps concealing scratches, fingerprints and even water spots.

Distressed Finishes

These are actually reproductions of antique finish that looks really elegant and are yet economical. There are quite a few types of distressed and weather finishes like antique copper, weathered copper, antique bronze, old bronze, antique brass and antique pewter, which are treated chemically to make them look aged.

Oil rubbed bronze another distressed finish available, widely used for door, window, curtain and cabinet hardware. It is basically a charcoal-colored and flat finish that looks very attractive.

Authentic Bronze Finishes

Bronze is a weather resistant alloy which needs minimum care to maintain its shine and beauty. Authentic bronze finishes are imparted using 100% solid bronze. The finishing is done by using a forging process that leaves a rugged texture, thereby lending a distinction to each piece of hardware.

Patina is applied to create a variety of appealing living finishes. For achieving living finishes, some color variation is essential. In order to obtain the antique finish, the natural shades of the oxidizing bronze is exposed to air. The finish thus obtained, enhances the beauty of the hardware item.

Bronze patina is an attractive dark brown finish, while natural bronze is light golden honey in color.

Silver nickel is yet another authentic bronze finish given to metal hardware items that is sometimes described as white bronze.

Dark bronze is a powder coat finish, usually applied to solid brass. Powder coating is actually a two part finishing technique. Dry powder paint is applied electrostatically to the metal part. In the next step, the part is baked in an oven so that the powder melts and bonds to the surface to form a continuous film. Powder coating creates a strong finish, which on proper maintenance does not crack, chip, or peel. The dark bronze powder coat finish is glossy black in color.

Living Finishes

Living finishes are natural finishes without any protective coatings. They are designed to change with the course of time and use. The finish might rub off on continuous usage and darken when not in use. This is considered to be the normal evolution of the finish. No two items with living finishes will be identical and any item or liquid that comes into contact with the finish can affect the color. Living finishes vary with time in color and tone, thus adding character and uniqueness.